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FILE: Anne Sinyangwe (C) and State House Principal Private Secretary Francis Chalabesa shortly before the swearing-in-ceremony at Zambia’s Ambassador to Russia Solomon Mbuzi at State House on 6th June 2014
The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the Southern Province Permanent Secretary for willful Failure to Comply with Applicable Procedure Relating to Procurement.
Annie C.M.Sinyangwe, 48, of plot no SUB G/16520 off Kasama Road near G-Green –Lilayi Old Airstrip, was arrested yesterday and charged with one count of Willful Failure to Comply with Applicable Procedure Relating to Procurement Contrary to Section 34(2) B and as read with section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
Details are that Ms sinyangwe who at the time was serving as Permanent Secretary Administration, on unknown dates but between 1st January 2012 and 31st August 2012 in Lusaka, being a person whose functions as Permanent Secretary Administration at Cabinet Office involved the administration and management of public revenue or property, willfully failed to comply with the law and applicable procedure relating to procurement when she awarded a contract for paving of Cabinet Office Car Park to Moonstone Investments Limited valued at K89,253. 44 a matter or transaction prejudicial to the interest of Cabinet Office, a public body under the government of the Republic of Zambia.
Ms Sinyangwe has since been released on bond and will appear in court on the 8th April 2015
United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday 31 March addressed the prestigious Royal Africa Society in London. This is according to the statement and pictures released to the media by the party’s information department.
According to the statement, the the event was over-subscribed with academics, high-level business representatives and Zambian and international professionals who crowded into the auditorium to hear the UPND leader speak.
The statement further went on to say that Mr Hichilema addressed the audience on the ‘Prospects for Zambia 2016’. His starting point was explaining that the UPND is seeking public office to resolve the failure of past leadership to convert Zambia’s great wealth into benefit for the people. Failed leadership has let the Zambian people down time and time again, Mr Hichilema asserted.
Arguing that you cannot redistribute poverty, Mr Hichilema stressed the importance of prioritising an economic turnaround for Zambia that would see local and international businesses flourish and, critically, increase employment opportunities, as well as revenues for investment in education and healthcare services.
Mr Hichilema also spoke about governance as a partner to social and economic development, reiterating the need for the new constitution that Zambians are still waiting for. He spoke out against abuses of the Public Order Act.
The address was followed by an extended question and answer session moderated by the Executive Director of the Royal Africa Society Mr Richard Dowden. Audience members posed questions on topics from agriculture and healthcare, to learnings from the 2015 presidential campaign and the prospects of a free and fair election in 2016. Mr Hichilema said the UPND will continue to listen to and share its vision and message with the Zambian people during the next 16 months, as well as to hold the Government to account by presenting alternative policy approaches.
The UPND leader is on an oversees trip where he has been invited by various organisations, business people wishing to invest in various sectors of the Zambian economy, and academic institutions.
Part of the Audience who attended HH’s talkPart of the Audience who attended HH’s talkPart of the Audience who attended HH’s talkPart of the Audience who attended HH’s talkHH posing for a photo shoot with some of the people that attended his talkHH posing for a photo shoot with some of the people that attended his talkHH talking to one of the people who attended his talkHH talking to one of the people who attended his talkHH talking to one of the people who attended his talkHH in London
Chembo released the video of her debut single “Tightrope”
The music video is the accompanying visual for the Zambian singer songwriter. Shot on location in West Wales. Directed by Rhodri Carter and Ryhs Lewis and stars Chembo.
Chembo is a Singer, Songwriter and Actress born in Zambia and raised in both Zambia and North Wales. She is an artist through and through with a Bachelors degree in Performing Arts with honours from University of South Wales. Her debut single Tightrope was released in December 2014 and has enjoyed extensive airplay on the biggest radio stations in Zambia such as Radio Phoenix, Power fm, Flava fm and Welsh radio including BBC Wales and Nation Radio. Her debut EP titled ‘Chapter One’ will be released in the coming months as well as follow up singles and visuals. Tightrope is currently available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and all other reputable digital music stores.
Zambia Under-23 regrouped on Tuesday in Lusaka to prepare for next weekend’s 2015 All-Africa Games qualifier.
Fighton Simukonda’s side take on Nigeria on April 11 in a final round, last leg qualifier at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
“Nigeria is not a pushover team, they are strong and we have to prepare adequately if we are to qualify to the All-Africa Games,” Simukonda said.
Training on Tuesday included Red Arrows winger Bruce Musakanya who missed the first leg tie played on March 22 in Abuja due to a hamstring injury.
Simukonda is also expecting four other high-profile senior Zambia team players to join camp next week.
The quartet Simukonda is expecting comprises of striker Ronald Kampamba of Wadi Degla in Egypt and South African-based midfielder Mukuka Mulenga from Bloemfontein Celtic.
Others are the Israeli-based duo of striker Evans Kangwa and defender Emmanuel Mbola both of Hapoel Ra’anana.
Zambia and Nigeria are scoreless from the first leg and the winner next Saturday will qualify to the All-Africa Games to be hosted by Congo-brazzaville from September 4-19.
President Edgar Lungu arrives in Shenzhen City in China 0n Tuesday 31-03-2015 -PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.
President Edgar Lungu has arrived in Shenzhen, China where is expected to meet local municipality leaders and investors in the mobile phone industry.
President Lungu who is accompanied by his wife Esther arrived at Shenzhen airport at 20: 35 hours and was received by Vice Mayor of the people government Chen Biao and other Chinese government officials.
President Lungu’s who is on a one day trip to Shenzhen is today expected to visit Shezhen museum before holding meetings with leaders of Huawei and ZTE, producers of mobile phones.
The Head of State will have bilateral talks with municipal leaders and will be later joined by first lady Esther to attend a banquet that will be hosted in his honour.
Mr. Lungu is also accompanied by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda and Transport Works and Supply Minister Yamfwa Mukanga.
Mines and Energy Development Minister Christopher Yalumwa is also part of the President’s entourage.
President Lungu is later in the day expected to fly to Shanghai and return to Zambia on Thursday.
President Edgar Lungu with First Lady Madam Esther Lungu arrive at Shenzhen Wuzhou Guest house in China 0n Tuesday 31-03-2015 -PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.President Edgar Lungu with First Lady Madam Esther Lungu arrive at Shenzhen Wuzhou Guest house in China 0n Tuesday 31-03-2015 -PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.President Edgar Lungu Greets Mr Chen Biao Shenzhen Vice mayor in China 0n Tuesday 31-03-2015 -PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.President Edgar Lungu Greets Mr Chen Biao Shenzhen Vice mayor when arrived at Shenzhen Wuzhou Guest house in China 0n Tuesday 31-03-2015 -PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.President Edgar Lungu on arrival at Wuzhou State Guest House in Shenzhen on continued State Visit in China on March 31,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Edgar Lungu being welcomed by Shenzhen Deputy Mayor Chen Biao upon arrival at Wuzhou State Guest House in Shenzhen, China on continued State Visit on March 31,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Edgar Lungu being welcomed by Shenzhen Deputy Mayor Chen Biao upon arrival at Wuzhou State Guest House in Shenzhen, China on continued State Visit on March 31,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Edgar Lungu and First Lady Esther being welcomed by Shenzhen Deputy Mayor Chen Biao upon arrival at Wuzhou State Guest House in Shenzhen, China on continued State Visit on March 31,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Edgar Lungu arrived at Wuzhou State Guest House in Shenzhen on continued State Visit in China on March 31,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
BOB Nkosha
BOB Nkosha has stepped in to defend the character of Dorika, which has caused a furore between Minister of Education Michael Kaingu and United Party for National Development member of Parliament Moono Lubezhi.
Nkosha a comedian, says Dorika has grossly been mischaracterised to depict a woman of easy virtue when she is, in fact, a woman of influence readying to go places.
He does not understand the brouhaha and has vowed not to stand by while Zambians malign one another using the name of his good-natured and well-intentioned fictitious character.
The Daily Mail spoke to Mr Nkosha, who laughed the whole commotion off, saying “Dorika” was a depiction of a tough-talking rights activist who was created to occupy an influential position in the Zambian society and, therefore, a role model.
The Kitwe-based comedian says “Dorika” does not depict the character of a prostitute. Despite previously being a woman who did not have an education, and could not even speak English, today “Dorika” is an accomplished, assertive role model who knows her rights.
Mr Nkosha said in an interview on Monday that he is shocked that some people are wrongly using the Dorika character synonymously with a woman of ill-repute, which is not the right picture.
He said it is interesting to note that the fictitious character behind “Dorika” depicts a woman activist and a role model to be emulated by women who want to be independent without entirely depending on men for financial support.
“The Dorika character is not a prostitute. If you noticed in my initial shows, I used to refer to Dorika as an illiterate person who could not even speak English fluently, but now there is an improved Dorika who even speaks good English and interacts with people at various levels,” Mr Nkosha stated.
He said the creation of Dorika was not prompted by any real-life situation. The character is a fictitious personality the creator uses solely to add humour to the stage acts to make people relax and enjoy themselves when they go out.
Mr Nkosha also took the opportunity to defend the existence of the character, saying it was not aimed at lampooning people who carry the name “Dorika”.
“I did not mean to harm those people who may bear the name Dorika. It is just a name I chose to use. It does not in any way mean a prostitute or a reckless woman,” Mr Nkosha said.
Recently,Dr. Kaingu came under fire for referring to Ms Lubezhi the Namwala MP as “Dorika”.
Dr Kaingu has sincerely apologised to Ms Lubezhi, stating that he was not aware that the name was associated with the oldest profession.
“If Dorika has made my colleague feel injured and it means unprintable, I want to apologise to my colleague because I did not mean the Dorika that is being portrayed,” says part of Dr Kaingu’s apology.
Mr Nkosha has since implored the speaker of the National Assembly to allow him perform before members of parliament to allow for the lawmakers to have a clear understanding of the character behind Dorika.
“I am ready to perform anytime at a public function for MPs because I want them to understand the character. The fictitious Dorika is a 45-year-old single mother who does not depend on men for financial support; she encourages women not to allow men to trample on them,” Mr Nkosha said.
A 23-YEAR-OLD Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies (ZCAS) student will represent Zambia in Washington on an information technology forum.
Fidelis Chulu, who scooped the global student entrepreneur award (GSEA) for 2014 in Lusaka yesterday, is the third student to represent Zambia in Washington on an entrepreneur’s organisation global competition.
Mr Chulu, who is a member of ZCAS’ national computing council, said he will represent Zambia with an intellectual mind to solicit for more sponsorship in promoting student business ideas.
“Zambia should engage more of such [GSEA] to encourage students in being entrepreneurs so that we can contribute positively to the economy,” Mr Chulu said.
Mr Chulu said young people form the most powerful resources to use for economic and social development.
And Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority entrepreneurship development specialist Victor Zumani said youths need to grow in business by engaging in various forums such as the GSEA.
Mr Zumani said young Zambians have the capacity to scale up the business sector by creating jobs for their fellow youths if they are supported.
“Our youths only need to be more innovate and creative to sustain themselves in the business. With entrepreneurship skills, the economy will be dominated by young vibrant youths,” he said.
THE recent withdrawal of grants to councils by the Government will negatively affect the operations of local authorities, Livingstone Deputy Mayor Fred Sikazwe has said.
Mr Sikazwe, who is Patriotic Front (PF) Akapelwa Ward Councilor, said most councils were going to be struggling in paying their workers following the removal of Government grants.
He however said the decision to stop giving grants to councils was a good one as it would motivate the local authorities to work hard.
Speaking in an interview in Livingstone, Mr Sikazwe said most council in the country had the capacity to generate revenue even without grants if only they planned properly and were disciplined.
“We are going to see some councils struggling especially to pay their workers, but this must however teach them and give them ideas on how to broaden their revenue base,” Mr Sikazwe said.
He said though councils had a lot of challenges in terms of smooth running of operations countrywide, the removal of grants by government must be embraced and used as a motivating factor for working hard.
Mr Sikazwe said that councils had a lot of challenges in the past due to over dependence on grants adding that the local authorities had the capacity to generate income to sustain themselves.
He it was time for councils to wake up and come up with plans of raising money.
Mr Sikazwe said noted that councils country wide had property which they could renovate put on rent and collect revenue from the proceeds.
“I am aware that Livingstone has grown and the businesses have also increased and we have to capture all properties that are on the rate bill and start getting the revenue to help with the smooth running of the council,” he said.
President Edgar Lungu with Home affairs minister Davies Mwila, Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda (l) and State House deputy President Mulenga Sata shortly before he left for a working holiday in Mfuwe on January 4,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
THE challenges of acquiring National Registration Cards (NRCs) particularly for people in rural areas who cover long distances to obtain the cards, will lessen following Government’s intended mobile NRCs registration exercise.
Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila announced last week in a ministerial statement in Parliament that Government has set aside K25 million for mobile NRCs registration exercise.
Mr Mwila said, the countrywide exercise to be conducted in Polling Stations, would kick off in the second week of April, this year in which more than 1 million people would be registered.
Commenting on the matter, Chief Chikanta of the Tonga speaking people in Kalomo, hailed Government for allocating funds for the exercise to benefit people in remote areas.
Chief Chikanta said in an interview that many people, citing those in rural chiefdoms, encounter challenges such as covering long distances to acquire NRCs from the designated centres.
“This is a good initiative by Government, because this exercise will give people an opportunity to either acquire new NRCs or replace the lost ones,” he said.
He said, Kalomo central business district, located about 100 kilometres from his chiefdom, was the only town where people from his area could acquire NRCs.
He said lack of NRCs had deprived many people from participating in national events such as the recent presidential elections.
Chief Chikanta cited the 2016 tripartite election which would be an important national event in which people needed to possess NRCs to obtain voters’ cards.
He said, for people to participate in other sectors of the economy such as sale of maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), being in possession of NRCs was one of the prerequisites.
Chimoza Community School in Ndola’s Bwana Mkubwa area might face closure due to financial constraints as the donor who has been funding the school pulled out in December 2014.
Chimoza Head Teacher Nicholas Banda told ZANIS in an interview in Ndola yesterday that the school has appealed to the Ministry of Education to send government teachers to the school to serve the school from being closed permanently.
Mr. Banda explained that the school which was constructed in 2002 with the donor funds has 13 classrooms which are electrified with a modern ablution block, two boreholes, and one hand water pump with a computer lab to set up an information communication technology lessons.
“After a long history of financial hardships, the community will not be pleased to have such an education investment infrastructure turning into a white elephant. Efforts have been made by the school authority to the Ministry of Education to assist the school but they have not responded yet to serve the community school,” Mr. Banda said.
The school which had 593 pupils from baby class to grade nine has seen some pupils dropping out of school because meals that were being provided by the school have been suspended due to lack of funds.
The Head Teacher further explained that the nearby Katondo basic which is a government school cannot accommodate all the pupils from Chimoza Community school because of the large number.
He added that the area is also recording high numbers of early marriages as parents feel that they can be supported by marrying off their girl child.
Mr. Banda stated that girls are being married off as early as 12 years of age as parents opt to benefit from the marriages of the children.
He said the school introduced a K50 fee per month for each pupil at the school in a bid to sustain it financially but that parents cannot afford because most children are coming from vulnerable families.
Mr. Banda explained that the donor known as the Q Fund based in United States of America informed them in August 2014 that they were going to stop funding the community school in December 2014 because they had run out of funds.
Zambia Union of Finance and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) has said it will be difficult for Zambia to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in 2015 on achieving full employment and decent work because of casualization of labour.
ZUFIAW President Ackim Mweemba told ZANIS in an interview in Ndola yesterday that government should ensure that the issue of casualization is brought to an end if the country is to develop economically.
Mr. Mweemba noted that casualization in the country is rife and that if left unchecked it will continue to enslave the youths in the country.
Mr. Mweemba said government does not employ people on casual basis but wondered why it has allowed parastatal companies to employ people on casual basis.
He alleged that executive officials in parastatal companies have over stayed and that they were in a habit of perpetuating the vice of casualization in these companies.
He said the year 2015 is a good year as the country will look at the MDGs that have been attained and to forge a way forward where it has not done well.
Government has challenged teachers in the country to carry on the good image Zambia has on the globe in terms of discipline.
Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) Owen Mugemezulu says Zambia’s identity has been and will always remain good as a shining example to other countries in the Southern African region.
Mugemezulu urged the teachers to be professional in other spheres like sport just like they execute diligently their duties when in classrooms.
The Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Acting Permanent Secretary was speaking in Lusaka today when he flagged off 450 teacher delegation at the Ministry Headquarters traveling to Durban in South Africa to participate in the Association of Non-Aligned teachers ‘Unions of Southern Africa (ANTUSA).
The teachers are drawn from schools in all the 10 provinces of Zambia.
The 8th ANTUSA games’theme is, “Platform for enhancing professional etiquette for teachers among Southern Africa”.
It has attracted teams that are scheduled to leave tomorrow and expected back home on the April 5th, 2015.
Mugemezulu further cautioned the teachers to desist from engaging themselves in illicit sex because the teaching fraternity has not been spared from the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic.
“The code of ethics applies to all of you in your outing out-there. Be professional as you’ve always been here at home and we expect the same identity in South Africa. Also, be wary of HIV/AIDS because the teaching fraternity hasn’t been spared and we’ve lost talented teachers,” the PS said.
He commended the Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) for spearheading the trip to South Africa.
Speaking early, BETUZ President Cosmas Mukuka disclosed that 3,000 teachers in the country have been exposed to ANTUSA since its inception eight years ago in 2007.
Mukuka said ANTUSA seeks to break the barriers of migration among teachers in the country.
He said the Zambian side (team) is more than ready to compete in the tournament and challenged the teachers to interpret the gained knowledge back home so that pupils benefit and excel in sport activities in schools.
Teachers from ANTUSA Unions in the SADC region namely: BETUZ (Zambia), BOSETU (Bostwana), Professional Educators Union, PEU (SA), PTUZ (Zimbabwe), TUN (Namibia) and UPSEE (Mauritius) will be showcasing their talents in different sporting code like, soccer, netball, volleyball and other related cultural events including symposium and debate sessions.
The 7th edition of ANTUSA was held in Maseru, Lesotho. The Professional Educators Union is currently holding the ANTUSA Chairmanship and they are deputised by the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe.
The Chinese government has committed $90 million towards expansion works at Lusaka’s Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital.
The Chinese grant will facilitate the expansion of the hospital bed space from 120 to 1 000 beds.
The Hospital will also be equipped with high-tech equipment to enable it offer specialized treatment.
And Government has reiterated its promise to provide equitable cost effective quality healthcare as closer to the people as possible.
Speaking when he met a visiting Chinese delegation which is in the country to undertake a design survey for the expansion of Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital phase two in Lusaka today, Health Minister Joseph Kasonde says the design phase of the hospital entails turning the hospital into a fully fledged specialized health facility with a bed capacity of between 800 to 1000 beds.
Dr. Kasonde says Zambia remains indebted to China for phase one of Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital with a bed capacity of 120 which was constructed with a grant in excess of USD $8 million from the Chinese government.
He adds that it is more gratifying that the Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital project does not only involve the infrastructural works but also includes the provision of modern high-tech medical equipment for the hospital.
Dr. Kasonde says before the hospital was constructed, one of the major challenges in the delivery of health care services in Lusaka was the inadequacy of primary health and secondary health facilities which resulted in massive congestion at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
He further states that government is pleased with the support from the Chinese government as it is aware that the provision of quality healthcare services to the people will ensure that the country has a healthy and productive population which will in turn lead to a productive economy.
FILE: President Barack Obama receives His Excellency Palan Mulonda, Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia, during an Ambassador Credentialing Ceremony in the Oval Office, Jan. 14, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Zambia and the United States of America (USA) have agreed to increase trade and investment in Zambia.
United States Ambassador to Zambia Erick Shultz and Zambian Ambassador to the US Palan Mulonda made the commitment when they held a meeting in Washington DC to discuss areas of mutual cooperation yesterday.
The two envoys agreed to make Zambia the preferred investment destination by American companies.
Mr. Shultz also observed that Zambian companies need adequate incentives in order to grow their businesses which he said were a key for them to effectively participate in the Africa’s Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
And Mr. Mulonda said Zambia was indebted to the US government for the support in the health sector which dates back to many years ago.
He said the Zambian mission in Washington DC will continue to make strategic partnerships between Zambia and the US in key areas of agriculture, education, trade and investment.
